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23.12.2024 10:00 - 17:00
Christmas Eve 24.12.2024 10:00 - 14:00
Christmas 25.12.2024 10:00 - 17:00
St. Stephen´s Day 26.12.2024 10:00 - 19:00
27.12.2024 10:00 - 17:00
28.12.2024 10:00 - 17:00
29.12.2024 10:00 - 17:00
30.12.2024 10:00 - 17:00
New Year´s Eve 31.12.2024 10:00 - 17:00
New Year´s Day 01.01.2025 10:00 - 17:00
Saint Berchtold 02.01.2025 10:00 - 19:00
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Show all10:00 - 17:00
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openinghours.days.long.thursday openinghours.openfromto.long
openinghours.days.long.friday Open till openinghours.days.long.sunday openinghours.openfromto.long
openinghours.days.long.monday closed
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openinghours.days.long.thursday openinghours.openfromto.long
openinghours.days.long.saturday Open till openinghours.days.long.monday closed
Closed on public holidays.
23.12.2024 10:00 - 17:00
Christmas Eve 24.12.2024 10:00 - 14:00
Christmas 25.12.2024 10:00 - 17:00
St. Stephen´s Day 26.12.2024 10:00 - 19:00
27.12.2024 10:00 - 17:00
28.12.2024 10:00 - 17:00
29.12.2024 10:00 - 17:00
30.12.2024 10:00 - 17:00
New Year´s Eve 31.12.2024 10:00 - 17:00
New Year´s Day 01.01.2025 10:00 - 17:00
Saint Berchtold 02.01.2025 10:00 - 19:00
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Show allGuided Tour
Swiss society has become ever more globally connected since the 16th century. How was Switzerland involved in colonialism? Who took an active role in it and in what role? Viewed from a range of perspectives, eleven spheres of activity offer insights into Switzerland's colonial history.
Museumstrasse 2
8021 Zürich
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Swiss citizens and companies were heavily involved in the colonial system from the 16th century onwards. Some Swiss companies and private individuals took part in the transatlantic slave trade and earned a fortune from the trade in colonial goods and exploitation of slave labour. Swiss men and women travelled the globe as missionaries. Other Swiss, driven by poverty or a thirst for adventure, served as mercenaries in European armies sent to conquer colonial territory or crush uprisings by the indigenous population. Swiss experts also placed their knowledge at the disposal of the colonial powers. And the racial theories prevalent at the time, which were used to justify the colonial system, formed part of the curriculum at the universities of Zurich and Geneva.
The exhibition at the National Museum Zurich draws on the latest research findings and uses concrete examples, illustrated with objects, works of art, photographs and documents, to present the first-ever comprehensive overview of Switzerland's history of colonial entanglement. And by drawing parallels to contemporary issues, it also explores the question of what this colonial heritage means for present-day Switzerland.